By Angeliki Mavrantza
When your days are packed with classes, extracurriculars, studying, work, staying on top of your professional and personal responsibilities and socializing, exercise often goes to the back burner or gets removed from your to-do list altogether.
It’s normal to struggle to find time to exercise when you’re in college. However , busy times like these are whenever we need exercise the most.
Exercise is a great way to release stress plus disconnect from everyday worries. Research shows that physical activity can have a significant impact on your personal mindset, mood and well-being – as well as that of those around you.
Finding ways to incorporate workout into your daily life, regardless of your individual athletic and/or physical goals, is important. It is one of the best investments you can make in your physical plus mental well-being.
But with so much about your mind, how can you make fitness a priority?
- Plan ahead. If you know you’re busy, plan everything ahead. Make exercise part of your weekly schedule just like you do along with class, meetings, etc. – and make sure you’re always prepared in order to execute your own workout. Bringing a change associated with clothes with you and packing an extra snack are two easy ways to ensure you’re ready to follow through with your plan. You can also try renting a locker at your gym, plus keeping your own extra change of clothes and snacks there.
- Prioritize movement throughout your day. Make sure that you’re intentionally moving throughout the day. For example, park your own car a little further and walk in order to class or even work, or take the particular stairs instead of the elevator. These small changes can lead to an overall modify in lifestyle and way of thinking when it comes to staying active.
- Make your routine a habit. Keep your workout schedule consistent. Setting habits takes time, but just like everything else, your workouts will become a habit the longer you stay consistent.
- Find the time that works best for you. Are you the morning person or a night owl? Take this into consideration when planning workouts. Selecting a time that a person will enjoy the most allows you to associate your workouts along with positive feelings.
- Try different forms of exercise. When it comes to staying motivated, some days can be more challenging than others. Whenever that happens, try to create your exercises fun by adding some variety to your routine. I recommend trying a new fitness class at your own gym, taking a walk, or incorporating new equipment into your program.
Making exercise a priority plus keeping this fun will be key!
The FIU Wellness and Recreation Center is a valuable, on-campus resource that you may utilize in order to increase your own physical activity. For more information about the WRC’s programs plus services, please contact [email protected] edu.
Angeliki (Angie) Mavrantza is the certified personal trainer with a bachelor’s degree in public health and kinesiology from the University of Houston. She is currently finishing her master’s level in physical exercise science and kinesiology with emphases in neuroscience plus psychophysiology at FIU. Mavrantza works as the particular graduate assistant of health and fitness and wellness at the FIU Wellness and Recreation Middle .
